In the United States, the Army Contracting Command, based at the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, has awarded Raytheon (RTX) a contract worth around $700 million for the supply of the National Advanced Surface-Air Missile System (NASAMS).
These NASAMS batteries will be set up on behalf of Taiwan, which has purchased them as part of a foreign military sale (FMS).
The work of this order will be carried out in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of February 28, 2031.
Taiwan is currently purchasing three NASAMS 3 batteries and last September, interest leaked for an additional nine batteries of this weapon system.
The NASAMS is a collaboration between the American Raytheon Missiles and Defense (RTX Corporation) and the Norwegian Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG).
The launcher developed by Kongsberg in the most recent version of the NASAMS, the III, is capable of alternately employing the AIM-120C-7/8-D-3 AMRAAM, the AMRAMM ER or Extended Range, and the AIM-9X Block II/II+ Sidewinder.
This flexibility gives the system real multi-layer capabilities and enables it to engage a variety of targets, from fighter bombers, UAVs/UAS, and loitering munitions, to helicopters and cruise missiles.
The NASAMS consists of a command post, the Fire Distribution Center, the AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel 3D radar, EO/IR electro-optic sensors, and a varying number of launchers plus logistical tactical vehicles.
The system, of course, can be integrated with VSHORAD missile systems and antiaircraft and C-UAS artillery systems, as well as long-range missile systems, enhancing its overall capabilities.
Source: US Department of War (US DoW)
Photo credit: @KONGSBERG
